Abstract
A better understanding of functional changes in the intervertebral disc (IVD) and interaction with endplate is essential to elucidate the pathogenesis of IVD degeneration disease (IDDD). To date, the simultaneous depiction of 3D micro-architectural changes of endplate with aging and interaction with IVD remains a technical challenge. We aim to characterize the 3D morphology changes of endplate and IVD during aging using PPCST. The lumbar vertebral level 4/5 IVDs harvested from 15-day-, 4- and 24-month-old mice were initially evaluated by PPCST with histological sections subsequently analyzed to confirm the imaging efficiency. Quantitative assessments of age-related trends after aging, including mean diameter, volume fraction and connectivity of the canals, and endplate porosity and thickness, reached a peak at 4 months and significantly decreased at 24 months. The IVD volume consistently exhibited same trend of variation with the endplate after aging. In this study, PPCST simultaneously provided comprehensive details of 3D morphological changes of the IVD and canal network in the endplate and the interaction after aging. The results suggest that PPCST has the potential to provide a new platform for attaining a deeper insight into the pathogenesis of IDDD, providing potential therapeutic targets.
Highlights
Propagation phase contrast synchrotron micro-tomography (PPCST). (A) The propagation phase contrast synchrotron micro-tomography (PPCST) reconstructed images show a markedly superior soft tissue contrast of the intervertebral disc as well as the delineation of the endplate compared to the C-μCT images
Comparison of images obtained from C-μCT and PPCST
In the cross-sectional images produced by PPCST, the low-density soft tissue IVD between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae was clearly visualized but was not detectable in the C-μCT images (Fig. 1A)
Summary
Propagation phase contrast synchrotron micro-tomography (PPCST). (A) The PPCST reconstructed images show a markedly superior soft tissue contrast of the intervertebral disc (purple) as well as the delineation of the endplate (green) compared to the C-μCT images. Propagation phase contrast synchrotron micro-tomography (PPCST) is a novel imaging technique that combines the advantages of high spatial resolution, and 3D imaging[19] It greatly improves the phase contrast of both soft and hard biological tissues and is useful for mixed tissue visualization[20]. We employed PPCST to simultaneously detect the spatial and temporal changes in the 3D architecture of the endplate and IVD and evaluate the age-related changes in the interactions between these two structures. This analysis will provide further insight into our understanding of the pathogenesis of IDDD and provide potential therapeutic targets
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
